TCoPS - 29

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TREATY WILL REDUCE
THE ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COSTS
AS WELL AS NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF THE PLASTIC
LIFECYCLE. IT WILL ALSO BE MET WITH PUBLIC
SUPPORT.
By enabling more effective government
interventions, the treaty could help countries reduce
the costs that are currently not included in the price
of plastic. More effective government policy can support
states with their transition to a circular economy, reducing
the negative impacts of the plastic lifecycle. This would also
bring the market cost more in-line with the lifetime cost
of plastic. The global coordination will ensure all states
are taking action, limiting the risk that countries may face
negative impacts of plastic pollution that originated in
neighbouring countries. Therefore, the treaty can help reduce
the negative impacts of the plastic lifecycle and allow for
countries to avoid the associated costs.
Government commitment to the treaty is likely
to be met with a strong positive reaction from
the public because support for action on plastic
among populations is high. Public awareness of plastic
pollution has grown substantially.185
and concern about other aspects of the plastic crisis is also
rising. Therefore, the public now considers plastic pollution
to be a significant environmental and public health issue.186
As this awareness has grown, so has public support for
government action to address the plastic crisis. For example,
a UNEP survey of Asian consumers and businesses found
that 91% of consumers are concerned about plastic waste,
and both consumers and businesses expect greater action
from governments.187
Support specifically for a global treaty
on marine plastic pollution is also growing, more than
2.1 million people from around the world have signed a
WWF petition calling for a global treaty on marine plastic
pollution.188
Governments are beginning to respond. As
of August 2021, a majority of the UN member states (104
countries) have explicitly called for a new global agreement.189
In addition, awareness
A legally binding global treaty on plastic pollution
could provide the required framework to support
more effective national action to combat the plastic
crisis. It can also facilitate the necessary global
coordination to deal with the transboundary nature
of the plastic crisis. This will ensure implementation
of effective policies and support the transition to a
circular economy for plastics. As such, the global
plastic treaty has the potential to be an effective tool
in the global efforts to tackle the negative impacts
associated with the plastic crisis and help reduce the
significant costs currently imposed on society.
Jakarta, Indonesia, March, 2019 © WWF / Vincent Kneefel
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TCoPS

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